December 17, 2004
HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN +ALEXIOS REFLECTIONS ON THE NATIVITY Part 2
“For unto us a child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

As promised in the previous edition of the Metropolis Messenger, I would like to take the opportunity to share some thoughts that may help us understand how to prepare to celebrate Christmas.

Through the ages, we have wonderful examples of how our human creativity has been used to uplift fellow Christians and glorify our Lord’s Holy Name. For example, almost every country and culture has unique Christmas hymns, or “carols”, that so beautifully communicate the Good News of our Savior’s Birth. Our songs reflect the glory of the event – angels sing, the Magi bring gifts, a star glorifies the heavens. Holiday decorations and presentations, particularly icons, like the icon of the Nativity which we venerate, brings us closer to the blessed event, when a virgin gives birth to the Savior of mankind.

“I behold a strange and marvelous mystery.
The cave is Heaven;
The Virgin, a Cherubic Throne;
The manger, a room in which Christ our God,
Who is boundless, was placed,
Whom we magnify in praise.”
CHRISTMAS KATAVASIA 9th ODE

Beholding this mystery, we must really start thinking about how to purify ourselves, to open ourselves up, become vulnerable so that we can truly enter into the miracle of the Nativity. We humans offer honor to the Virgin Mary as we cultivate these thoughts to come to the place where we can give thanks for this inestimable gift of salvation. Through reading the Bible, personal and communal prayer, we will be able to live in our own everyday world, while speaking the language of the angels.

In this way, we will find ourselves in a heavenly place that we never want to leave. That is why I pray that this year we will let ourselves live this kind of spirituality, so that we “will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6.


METROPOLIS MESSENGER - OUR GOAL IS COMMUNICATION It is our goal to communicate with all the members of our Metropolis of Atlanta family first- hand. We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity and that you will let your friends, family and neighbors know about the Messenger, encourage them to subscribe or to visit the website.
As members of our Metropolis family, you are not only simply our audience, but more importantly our co-editors and contributors! Please let us know how we can improve the Messenger and send us any news and notes that you would like to share with your brothers and sisters in Christ all over the Metropolis.

CHANCELLOR`S UPDATE Reverend Clergy of the Holy Metropolis of Atlanta

My dear brothers in Christ,

“All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.”(Titus 3:15)

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During this Holy Season, I wanted to take a moment to express, on behalf of His Eminence Metropolitan +ALEXIOS and our entire Metropolis staff, our prayers and best wishes for a blessed holiday season and a New Year abundant in peace, good health and prosperity.

At this time, I would like to ask you to help us update our email and contact information. As you have already heard from His Eminence, we are privileged to have Fr. Anthony Scott assisting us with development for our beautiful Diakonia Center. In order to facilitate the exchange of ideas, we will need to have current email addresses for you and your Parish. Also we will need accurate email addresses for our new email bulletin, the Metropolis Messenger, which is distributed via email and the website. We welcome any feedback or suggestions for improving this new endeavor in communication, particularly any articles, news or other information and ideas that you would like to share with your Metropolis family. If you know of anyone who would be interested in receiving the Messenger, please let them know that they can sign up by simply sending an email to kpowers@atlmetropolis.org or listserv@listserv.goarch.org.

In closing, it is my prayer that you all enjoy a peaceful and harmonious holiday season. May you enjoy the abundance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the blessings of God the Father and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. A joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you!

Faithfully yours, with brotherly love,

Very Reverend Father George Tsahakis
Chancellor

WINTER YOUTH RALLY With over 500 youth and 150 advisors, coaches and chaperones, the 2004 Metropolis of Atlanta Winter Youth Rally, "Christ Conquers All", promises to be the best ever! Youth, Education and Culture Coordinator Michelle Cassimus and her dedicated band of volunteers are busy making last minute preparations for the event.
"Of course, it`s a cliche to say that the youth are the future of our Church," says Michelle," but nonetheless, it`s true!I am just so grateful for the opportunity to help them learn about living their lives centered on Christ and our beautiful Church."

FR. ANTHONY SCOTT TO ASSIST WITH CAPITAL CAMPAIGN "So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith." (Gal. 6:10)

During this season of spiritual rejoicing, it is my fervent prayer that our Incarnate Lord will bless you and your loved ones always, bestowing upon you good health, wisdom, patience and abundant joy!

As you know, our beautiful Diakonia Center is no longer a dream but a reality. In order to assist us with development and planning, we have engaged Fr. Anthony Scott .With my blessing, Fr. Anthony will be working to coordinate our efforts to raise the necessary funds for Phase I and Phase II goals for the Diakonia Center. Fr. Anthony is an Orthodox priest who for the past six years has assisted numerous Orthodox institutions in strategic planning, stewardship, leadership development and capital campaigns, including the Metropolis of Denver, Holy Trinity Archdiocese Cathedral and the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. Fr. Anthony will begin immediately and continue to assist us through November 30, 2005. Also he has my blessing to assist our priests in liturgical services, should he be present in your parish and should you wish to invite him to concelebrate. His contact information is the following:

Fr. Anthony Scott Office (212) 316-3525 email: FrScottSA@aol.com
2753 Broadway #153 Cell (347) 831-1848
New York, NY 10025 Fax (212) 316-2149

I know that we have a long way to go to raise the funds that will enable us to reach our goals. However I am confident that you will support Fr. Anthony in any way you can, when he calls to ask for your help and I know that he will be receptive to any advice and counsel you give concerning our project. I am also confident that, as we work together in our Lord’s vineyard, no task will be too difficult, no obstacle too great, for we know that “with God all things are possible.”

During this most Holy Season, I offer to you my prayers and best wishes for a blessed Nativity and a New Year abundant in peace and prosperity. May you be renewed with the hope and promise of Christmas and may the Birth of the Christ-child, with all its wonder and glory, bless you with peace and joy.